South Bend has been a home to my family for generations, it’s given us a place to not only live, but to be a part of a community. I was raised on the south side of town, just a few blocks north of the Scottsdale Mall (yes, you’re old if you remember this place) and on the east side of Mishawaka by Penn High School. I chose to go to school locally at Indiana University South Bend because of the community around me. By the time I started college, the South Bend I was raised in had changed drastically. The city felt alive again, for the first time in a long time it felt like it had a heart beat, and I wanted to be a part of it. 

From childhood tap lessons to competing in Dancing With Our Stars, Melissa’s love for dance has come full circle. The South Bend-Elkhart region offers a thriving arts and dance community, from classes at Forever Dance Studio to stunning performances at the Morris Performing Arts Center. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, opportunities abound for learning, performing, and connecting through dance. Join enFocus in celebrating the World of Pop at this year’s Dancing With Our Stars and support an incredible cause.

"Growing up, I couldn’t wait to leave my small town—but life led me back, and I fell in love with the region. From South Bend’s charm to Michigan’s hidden gems, this place shaped my journey. Watching it grow alongside me has been a joy, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be."

Taking the first step towards your career goals is a big step to take. As you navigate your professional interests, consider these tips and tricks when attending career fairs, and applying to enFocus positions. We look forward to seeing you at a career fair near you!

Each August, enFocus has the opportunity to welcome a new cohort of Fellows. This is an exciting time where new perspectives are added to our meeting rooms, and new community members are connected to the Region. 

There is more than one way to define an effective leader. Some may define a leader as flexible, willing, and open minded while others may say a leader is disciplined and direct. Whatever your definition of an effective leader is, it is most important to understand how you set others up for success in a leadership role.

Our participation in Dancing with Our Stars to raise funds for South Bend Center for the Homeless is a way for enFocus to support an organization that uplifts individuals to strengthen our surrounding community.

Teamwork at enFocus goes beyond mere cooperation; it’s the collective power to harness our diverse talents to make a shared vision a reality. Over the past year, we have introduced internal “pods” where Fellows from different projects converge to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices.

At enFocus, everyday is different. Some days you may work remotely in the comfort of your home, and other days you may find yourself leading focus groups, facilitating strategic planning sessions, or visiting sponsor sites. During your time as a Fellow, you will get a variety of professional experiences across sectors and industries within the South Bend-Elkhart region.

One of our core values at enFocus is relationships.

Our mission to empower talent to build stronger communities cannot be achieved alone. It takes a village to craft opportunities and build the tomorrow we envision for future generations. That is why we collaborate with local organizations who are just as passionate about providing you with ample internship opportunities.

By the time I was a senior in high school, I had a clear vision of what I wanted to do next. My dream school was in Texas. My friends told me that there was always something to do there, new people to meet. I’d already known about its passion for football and prized traditions.

Work environment and work culture can affect your day-to-day productivity including when and how you work.

Harnessing power and passion is essential to excelling as an enFocus Fellow. Our talented team of individuals come from diverse backgrounds and experiences to work with a multitude of stakeholders to enhance community and economic development in the South Bend-Elkhart region.

enFocus specializes in uniting community partners and developing solutions that will serve our region for years to come.

Our Civic and Industry portfolios guide the work we do, and present our Fellows with a variety of projects they can work on at once. An enFocus Fellow can work on 2-3 projects simultaneously, differing in sectors, skills, and backgrounds.

As a core value at enFocus, learning is a part of everything we do. Professional development is an extension of the hands-on learning process our Fellows participate in everyday.

Our team lives, works, and plays throughout the region. Together, Saint Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, and Berrien Counties join enFocus as we strive to become a national model for talent attraction and retention. We offer activities for Fellows to create a deeper connection with the region, and we hope for them to someday call it home.

As our new cohort of Fellows begins, we look forward to showcasing the three-phase project lifecycle and the direct impact our projects have on the South Bend-Elkhart region.

Taking the first step towards your career goals is a big step to take. As you navigate your professional interests, consider these tips and tricks when attending career fairs, and applying to enFocus positions. We look forward to seeing you at a career fair near you!